A Brief History of Salt Lamps

You've probably seen them before - those Himalayan salt lamps that are said to have all sorts of benefits, from purifying the air to helping you relax before bed. But have you ever wondered where they came from? Who came up with the idea? Why did they become popular? Here's a quick history of salt lamps to help you understand why they're such a popular item today.

The first recorded use of salt lamps was in Poland in the 1600s. Members of the medical community would put blocks of salt in their patients' rooms to help them breathe easier. In the early 1900s, doctors would also prescribe salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, for their patients with respiratory problems.

Halotherapy is based on the principle that inhaling salty air can help to clear out the lungs and reduce inflammation. The first halotherapy spa opened in Poland in 1843, and today there are hundreds of such spas around the world. While halotherapy is proven to be an effective treatment for respiratory conditions, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that salt lamps provide any health benefits.

Although the concept of using salt to purify the air dates back thousands of years. Early civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Persians would burn salt in order to ward off evil spirits.  

Salt lamps gained popularity in the 1970s when Hippies rediscovered them and began using them as part of their alternative healing practices. When they were returning from Asia they began selling them at markets and fairs It was around this time that people started to believe that salt lamps had other benefits, such as reducing stress and improving sleep. Nowadays, salt lamps are said to do everything from reducing electromagnetic radiation to creating negative ions that purify the air.

While there is no scientific evidence that salt lamps provide any health benefits, many people believe that they help to purify the air and improve mood and sleep quality. 

So there you have it—a brief history of salt lamps! Whether or not you believe in their benefits, there's no denying that these little lamps are fascinating. If you're ever feeling stressed out or need some help sleeping, maybe give one a try—you just might be surprised at how much of a difference they can make.